PRAISING THE WORSHIP LEADERS

 

I love music, especially WORSHIP MUSIC.

I could listen to worship music all day long. I walked into the sanctuary at church yesterday and got to hear what Klayton and Eric were working on. I was so thrilled to hear some of the FRUIT of their labors. WORSHIP FILLED THE AIR!

Part of my vision, (I pray it is not just my vision but also the vision of the LORD), is to provide a SUNDAY morning COMPLETE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE. Part of that vision is a renewal of the heart of worship music on Sunday Morning. I have a vision combining both modern worship music with the wonderful traditional worship music that has been the backbone of the Church of God movement. SINGING! PRAISING GOD! with our voices and with instrument is one of the purest and most consistent forms of worship throughout the history of the church. I know that is not without controversy! I have often heard people criticize modern churches for their "Sunday morning productions." AND YES, we walk a fine line between focusing on PRODUCTION over WORSHIP. However, I have experienced the HEART of WORSHIP through modern contemporary worship music with equal fervor as I have experienced the movement of the HOLY SPIRIT through wonderful classic church hymns. I believe GOD LOVES BOTH modern voices and songs lifted to him and classic hymns sung to praise his name. 

As I continue my study of the book of Revelation, the place of music in this final book of the Bible is wonderful. Today, leading in to the SEVEN JUDGMENT bowls, we experience the heart of worship through song:

"Then I saw in heaven another marvelous event of great significance. Seven angels were holding the seven lasts plagues, which would bring God's wrath to completion. I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. And they were singing the songs of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

Great and marvelous are your works, 

O Lord God, the Almighty. 

Just and true are your ways, 

O King of the nations. 

Who will not fear you, Lord, and 

glorify your name? 

For you alone are holy. 

All nations will come and worship before you, 

for your righteous deeds have been revealed." 

(Revelation 15:1-4, NLT)

This scripture is such a dynamic contrast. On one side we have RIGHTEOUS and JUST WRATH and then in the same breath we have the HEART OF WORSHIP, including SONG. I don't know about you, but I cannot wait to be a part of the heavenly host SINGING PRAISES to the Lord on High. EVEN NOW we should be praising him at the defeat of evil, sin, pain, sorrow, and sadness. The songs we sing today will be "clanging gongs" compared to the praise of his saints. 

I am so excited to experience even a LITTLE BIT of that GENUINE WORSHIP AND PRAISE on Sunday Mornings!

 I praise God for all those worship leaders that expend their time and energy to PRAISE GOD, LIFTING UP HOLY HANDS, on Sunday Mornings! We need you. We need your leadership, we need your obsession with quality, and we need your help in lifting our voices to heaven! Thank you Eric and Klayton. I appreciate your heart and your dedication to praising the name of JESUS!